At first blush this title may seem a bit obvious. We all have heard “practice makes perfect”. We know that you need to practice before a big game and we see the best of the best continuously practicing their craft.
So I am here today to state the obvious. But, maybe you needed a little reminder on how the importance of practice will help you reach your dreams!
My Begining:
As many of you may already know, I started out in the nail world in 2008. I had been practicing at my dining room table to get better at my new hobby, when I was blessed enough to have an amazing opportunity to work at a salon. My mentor (Dana) knew that my skills were sub-par at best and also knew it was going to take us some time to build my skills. I was pretty green at this phase for sure!
So the first thing she did was have me watch her work. I literally got paid $10/hr (showing my age here) to watch her do nails and hair for eight hours a day! It was literally 10 months before I had my first real client. I spent all my time watching and when I wasn’t watching I was practicing. Relentlessly. Because I wanted to be great! I wanted to be just like her! Her work was amazing and I needed to emulate that. I could just feel it in my bones.
The Practice Hand:
This is an essential tool when practicing your craft. Holy moly have they come a long way since I was first learning. Now the fingers actually bend. Back when I was learning it was like practicing on a piece of cement!!
The following PH’s (practice hands) are beneficial for different reasons. Some you can mount to the table. Some you cannot. Some fingers are incredibly bendy and others are more real like. These hands are cheap enough on Amazon. Do your research, read the reviews and pick the one you feel is best.
I love these PH’s because you can do a simple gel polish and practice removal. Or you can build out an extended nail using nail forms. The filing and shaping method used when building out a nail enhancement takes a ton of practice. Hand filing is an art for sure!!
I strongly recommend grabbing one or more of these if you are just starting out.
Schedule Time:
I am a mom, a wife and a dog mom to two beauties. I work from home, I create content, I train students and I work at a clinic. I understand the meaning of the word BUSY. The only way I have been able to fit all of these necessary things into my lifestyle is by scheduling time.
Legit. Breaking my day down on google calendar to the hour. Sometimes minute. I love this AP because it allows you to color code every scheduled appointment. Everything stands out and is broken down quite nicely. I can clearly see my day or week and am able to slot in time to work on my dreams. You must make yourself a priority. Your dreams are just as if not more important than, grabbing a coffee with Karen, folding endless loads of laundry or scrolling on Instagram for an hour! Make time to reach your goals. No one else is going to tell you to do it! You have to be accountable.
One hour a day, three days a week, could be the deal breaker. By then end of the year that could look like 156 hours you have worked on your goals and dreams!! Imagine what you can accomplish in 156 hours!!!
I still am practicing my craft to this day. The nail world is always evolving and changing. New tools or techniques are always in the forefront. I don’t want to be left behind in this ever-changing life. I want to be on the cusp of the new stuff. Doing the hard stuff and teaching others how to do the same!
I still schedule time in my calendar to reach my dreams! I’m sure I always will. When practice becomes a part of your everyday reality, it doesn’t seem like a chore anymore. You see progress in yourself, progress in your business and this motivates you to keep pushing the needle. To keep driving towards those dreams and goals you have set for yourself.
Practice does make perfect. And practice will help you reach your dreams! I promise!
Thank you for reading and following me. While I selfishly fill my bucket by writing and creating content, I hope I am able to bring you useful and tangible tips to keep you motivated and help you along the way. Please reach out on any of my platforms if you need help, need coaching or advice of any kind. I am always here for you and your success!
Always Love,
Cheyanne – The Nail Lamp Tramp
